Goddess of Spring (Goddess Summoning #2)(78)

"Persephone..."

A sweet, familiar scent awakened her. Hades was standing beside the bed smiling. He was naked, except for the snug loincloth wrapped low around his waist. He was holding a chil ed glass of golden liquid in one hand and a silk robe in the other.

"Good morning," she said, sleepily.

"Good morning. I thought you might be thirsty." He nodded at the crystal wineglass. "Also, Eurydice brought those things for you." He gestured over his shoulder at a table that was laden with pomegranates and a mouthwatering assortment of cheeses and breads. Lina thought he couldn't possibly have looked more adorable standing there nervously, trying to act like he was used to having a goddess in his bed.

"Thank you." She sat up and stretched. The sheet fel down around her waist, and his eyes devoured the sight of her bare br**sts.

Entranced, Hades placed the glass on the table and knelt before her, taking her br**sts in his hands and kissing her ni**les. Although his touch was gentle, Lina couldn't help flinching. Her body was incredibly, wonderful y satiated, but also very, very sore.

The God pulled back. "I am hurting you?"

"I'm just feeling a little... sensitive. Seven times in one night is, well , unusual." Hades actual y blushed as he draped the silk robe over her shoulders and smoothed her hair. She did look rumpled, and she had a red bite mark on the curve of her neck. Had he been too rough with her? Last night he had thought that he had pleased her, but this morning she seemed almost disgruntled. She stood up, a little gingerly, and shrugged into the robe. By al the gods! Had he hurt her?

She gave him a distracted smile, and sat gingerly before she descended hungrily on the laden table. She did not notice how the God flinched in response at her obvious physical discomfort. Hades silently damned himself for an inexperienced fool.

As Lina ate she felt her energy level return to normal, and the aches of her well -used body dissipated. Responding to her revived good humor, Hades' nerves evaporated, and they ate breakfast like lovers, with their knees touching, feeding each other choice tidbits from their own plates. He was just explaining to her how he had fashioned the chandeliers that hung gracefully from the ceiling above them when two firm knocks sounded against the door.

"Yes! Enter," Hades cal ed.

Iapis entered the room, holding a square, flat box in his hand. He bowed first to Hades and then to Lina.

"Good day, Hades, Persephone." His eyes danced and he tried unsuccessfully to hide a delighted smile. "I have brought that which you requested, my Lord." He handed the box to Hades.

"Excel ent, thank you, Iapis."

Seeing the daimon reminded Lina that she had been neglecting Eurydice lately, and she felt a twinge of guilt.

"lapis, could you take a message to Eurydice for me?" Lina asked.

"Of course, Goddess."

"Tel her that I would love to see what she has been sketching." Iapis smiled. "She wil be pleased, Goddess."

"Good. Have her bring her work to my room later today. And please tel her that I am looking forward to seeing her creations - and her. I've missed her lately." Lina thought she saw a tel tale flush darken the daimon's cheeks before he nodded, and, stil smiling, bowed his way from the room.

"He's certainly in a good mood," Lina said, drumming her fingers against the table.

"He likes seeing me happy," Hades said, kissing her hand.

Lina felt herself grinning as foolishly as the daimon had been. Then she mental y shook herself.

"I don't think that's al there is to his jol y expression. I've been meaning to talk to you about that daimon of yours."

Hades raised an eyebrow at her.

"I think he's interested in Eurydice," Lina said.

Hades' grin reminded her of a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "I think you are correct."

"Then I need to know his intentions," she said firmly.

Hades nodded, his expression instantly sobering. "I see. Of course you would be concerned. I believe I can speak for Iapis. His intentions are honorable. He truly cares for the little spirit."

"You wil see that he is careful with her? She has been through a difficult time. It's hard for a woman to love again after she has been hurt."

Hades touched her cheek gently, wondering suddenly if the goddess was speaking only about her loyal spirit.

"You may trust me. Always. I wil watch out for Eurydice as if she were the Goddess of Spring herself."

"Thank you. It's not that I don't like Iapis - I do. I just worry about Eurydice."

"You are a kind goddess who cares for those who love you," Hades said. Then he looked down at the square box sitting beside his hand. He slid it across the table to Persephone.

"This is something I made the first night you were here. I could not sleep. Al I could do was to think about you, about your smile and your eyes." He gestured for her to open the box. The little clasp unlatched easily and Lina lifted the lid. Nestled in a bed of black velvet inside the box was a chain made of delicate silver links from the middle of which hung a single amethyst stone that had been carved and polished into the shape of an exquisite narcissus blossom. Lina felt tears fil her eyes. "Oh, Hades! It's the most beautiful thing I've ever been given." Hades stood and moved behind her, taking the necklace from its case so that he could place it around her neck. It hung perfectly, just above the swel of her br**sts.